After 2 huge back-to-back wins to start the season, TFC traveled to Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah looking for an unprecedented 3rd straight victory. Needless to say things were derailed pretty quickly. A Salt Lake squad that came to within a penalty kick of winning the 2013 MLS Cup showed their class, led by an Alvaro Saborio brace, sending the Reds on their way with a 3-0 defeat, all while missing their feisty forward and former TFC fan favourite, Joao Plata.
As painful as that was to see for most at home, seeing Jermain Defoe head down the tunnel just after the 60th minute holding the back of his leg was that much worse.
An undisciplined challenge by Doneil Henry leading to a penalty set TFC back early and Salt Lake never looked back. Blame it on the altitude, blame it on the pitch, blame it on whatever you like, but TFC were simply outmatched and outclassed in all areas of the game. The hype surrounding Toronto and the talk of TFC being a contender of sorts really seemed to give Real an extra boost to bring the Reds back down to earth.
Meanwhile in Seattle, the Crew managed to stay unbeaten against a hungry Seattle side that just can’t get things going consistently. While all square at 1, a quick restart and break out up the wing led by Federico Higuain resulted in a Justin Meram winner in the 94th minute. The Crew now sit atop the Eastern Conference standings with a perfect 3-0-0 record while the Sounders fall to 2-2-0 on the season.
TFC will now take on their Trillium Cup rivals, the Columbus Crew, at Crew Stadium at 6pm tonight. These 2 teams are not fond of one another and what started as a made up and inorganic rivalry has grown into a real one after all.
The Enemy
Although Columbus was labelled as a team on the outside looking in before the season started, it would appear that they’re proving many of their critics, myself being one of them, to be wrong…at least for now.
Having started the season perfect thus far, Coach Berhalter seems to have his boys in yellow firing on all cylinders, and feeling confident in themselves. Federico Higuain, the diminutive Argentine maestro is in excellent form already with 3 goals and 2 assists from 3 matches. Bernardo Anor has started the season on a tear as well, recording 2 goals in 2 starts for the Crew. Defender Michael Parkhurst, Columbus’ anchor in the backline has also been making his presence felt, and helping keep the Crew unbeaten as well as making a strong case for himself to be named to the US men’s national team that heads to Brazil this summer.
For a team who had a fairly quiet off-season, after 3 matches, the Crew have developed chemistry and confidence and seem to be the real deal – but it’s tough to say that definitively considering there are 31 games left in the season.
History
The Reds have always struggled against the Crew, today’s match will be no different. Having played each other 19 times since 2007, TFC has only managed 2 wins for all their effort, while Columbus has won the bulk of the head-to-head fixtures; 10 wins to be precise. The remaining 7 matches were draws.
Their last meeting was way back in August of 2013, and saw the Crew win, as usual, with a score line of 2-nil. With Columbus flying high, and Toronto suffering from some early season injury and suspension troubles, its difficult to see the result straying too far from the norm.
Keys to Success
Jonathan Osorio, and Jermain Defoe are injured. Doneil Henry is out with a knock. Ashtone Morgan is out with a minor hip injury. Steven Caldwell has been suspended for a tackle committed versus RSL. Julio Cesar suffered a knock on his knee as well in TFC’s last match, but his status seems to be less questionable. If this isn’t the Reds worst nightmares coming true then I don’t know what is.
With the number of players that could potentially be out for this match, and even if the ‘questionable’ players find their way onto the pitch, I can’t see this ending well.
In a scenario that’s becoming more and more common with each passing game, all of the pressure will fall onto the shoulders of our general, Michael Bradley. The most important key to success will be his ability to shut down Federico Higuain and Bernardo Anor. In Caldwell’s absence, I’m almost positive Bradley will be wearing the captain’s armband, only adding to his desire to play well and dominate.
In a match such as this one, the midfield four for TFC will have to play a dynamic role. Possession, as much as Ryan Nelsen has talked it down, will be the most important defence mechanism for the Reds on Saturday. The longer they are able to hold onto the ball, the less time Columbus will have to dictate the pace of the match and less time to attack a significantly weakened back line.
As far as individuals go, big games are expected from Alvaro Rey, Jackson, Gilberto, and DeRo. Jackson specifically will most definitely have to step up his game and make sure not to lose the ball when on a counter attack, as has become common place for him in the first 2 matches he has played in. Gilberto, being the centre piece of the attack will want to fulfill his duties and get on the score sheet for the first time in TFC Red, as well as DeRo, who will more than likely be starting along side of Gilberto.
Gilberto has more than enough talent to steal the spotlight early in this season, and this match in particular will be a real test for him to see if he is truly worthy of DP status. He has played well in the 2 matches he has featured in thus far, but he still does not have a goal to show for his effort. Without Jermain Defoe in the lineup, Gilberto will need to score should TFC hope to leave Columbus with at least a point.
Predicted Starting XI
Goalkeeper: Julio Cesar
Defenders: Mark Bloom – Bradley Orr – Nick Hagglund – Justin Morrow
Midfielders: Alvaro Rey – Jeremy Hall – Michael Bradley (C) – Jackson
Forwards: Gilberto – Dwayne De Rosario
With a stripped down lineup through injuries and suspension, its tough to see this one ending well for the Reds. I’m predicting a resounding 3-1 win for Columbus. But the beauty of soccer is that absolutely ANYTHING can happen. If the 2013 iteration of TFC was able to make a come back with 20 minutes remaining against a Crew squad that wasn’t all that much different than the one stepping onto the pitch tonight, a similar result is possible. In the 2014 Trillium Cup battle, it will be advantage Columbus.
Come on you Reds!
